Circuit closer



June 1.4-, 192.7.I

G. F. BEASTN CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed June 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lil June 14, 1927.

G. P. BEASTON CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed June 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 mi ,wf C 5 m w r Application rlhis invention relates to circuit closing devices especially adapted Jfor use on automobiles. y

Briefly stated, an important aim of this invention is to provide a circuit closing device torthe starting motor of an automobile and which is operated by the spark control lever whereby Ato overcome the need ot employing a separate oot operated switch. io A further object is to provide a circuit controlling device of the character specied which may be applied to an automobile either during thecourse or' manufacture or at any time thereafter without the exercise of unusual skill and without substantially altering the vehicle.

A further object is to provide a circuit controlling device which is 01"' highly simpli.

fied construction, durable in use, and cheap to manufacture.

' Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. p f

' ln the accompanying drawing forming a '25 ,part of this application and in which like /numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout'the same.

Figure l is a perspective illustrating the application ot the improved switchs the circuit and the starting motor also being illustrated;

F ig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the improved switch;

llli'g. 3 is an end elevation' of the switch; 1Fig. 4 is a perspective oit a trigger embodied in the invention.

5 is a' :fragmentary perspective view yillustrating the mann-er lin which the invention may be carried out in connection with alFord automobile;

llig. 6 is a detail transverse sectional View taken' on line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

- Fig. 7 is a perspective-oi2 Van actuating bar embodied in the invention; f 45. l' *the "drawing, wherein v*for the lpurpose yfoftJil-histration isv shown apreerred embodi- "inentl 'ot `the invention; the'nunieral 5 desig- "nat'estheiinp'roved switchfconsisting of a p'aiiot approximately vparallel normally 5 spaced blocks" 6 and 7 ot 'insulating material. Fig.' Q'plainly illustrates that the blocks 6 and 'Thai/e connection as indicated at' 8 with theterminal portions of a ll-shaped leal s`piing9f.``l-v At this point it niight be stated that should the leaf spring become worn,

. n N, Serial eefi.

broken7 or otherwise unlit for use, it may be quickly detached and renewed.

rlhe numeral lO designates the upper portion oit one of the studs ot the starter and as show-n in 2 this stud extends through and supports the insulating block 7 and the terminal portion oi this stud constitutes Contact which is arranged in the path of 'travel ot `the head l5 of a binding screw rlQhe bindingl screw llis adapted tor connection with the starter cable 18 by means oi a clip or fastening member which is secured to the screw lll beneath the block 6. rllhe starter cable 1S has connection with the starting motor 2G.

The movable block 6 is confined between and is held against lateral movement or side .play by the sides ot a rectangular guide member 28 rigidly secured as indicated at 30 to the lined block It will be seen that when the contact 15 is moved into engage- 'ment with the contact head or terminal portion of the stud l0 the circuit will be coinpleted for starting the motor 2O and thereby bringing about the turning oi' the ly wheel.

The rectangular guide 28 which is preierably constructed from Hat metal an inch or so wide is provided with a slot 34 for the reception ot an actuator bar 36, the inner terminal portion of which is provided with a laterally projecting` block engaging head 38. il] hen the bar or lever 36 is swung in the direction of the block 6 ther head 15 and the terminal portion of the stud l() will be brought into engagement for closing the electric circuit through the starting mo tor 20.

The actuating bar 36 is adapted to :be swung to an operative position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 by an arm 40 secured to the spark control rod al by a clip 42. lt will be seen that. the rod al has the usual hand operated lever 44 which is moved downwardly to advance the spark and up wardlyt to retard the spark. Now when the spark lever A is manually retarded` the arm 40 will movev the actuating bar 36 to operative position to complete the circuit through the switch.

As soon as the motor starts the spark control levery i4 is moved to its normal advanced or partly advanced position and the circuit 'through the electric starting motor 20 will be interrupted.

t will. be seen that the improved switch foot pedals.

` oughly insulated and -This overcomes backtiring.

is operated entirely by the movement of the spark control lever44 and that the need of a separate foot actuated button switch is OVQTCGHIG.

The improved switch may'be applied to an automobile or the like either during the course of manufacture or at any time there` after without special skill and without an elaborate alteration of the mechanism of the vehicle. lt requires no separate insulation as the blocks (3 and 7 are of insulating material and this greatly reduces the possibility. of a short circuit. V

The improved switch necessitates the movement ofthe spark control lever to its fully retarded position so that the operator cannot accidentally leave the spark advanced when attempting to start the motor.

This arrangement prevents broken Bendix springs and resultant starter trouble, and a switch constructed in accordance with this invention permits the delivery ,of more current to the starting motor and as there is only one point of contact arcing, etc., is prevented.

An important feature of the invention resi-des in the fact that both feet of the operator may be employed for manipulating the This is important in case the motor is accidentally stalled at a street intersection, rail, or grade crossing. In such an event the operator will not have to take his feet oit the foot pedals to operate the starter.v The operation of the starter is entirely by the spark control lever.

The invention is convenient, easy to oper` ate, and is characterized by simplicity.

The current conducting parts are thorthere is no chance for leaks.

Also, mud and the like is not likely to splash onto the switch.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate that the invent-ion may be carried out in connection with a Ford automobile having a starting `motor 50 provided with the usual Bendix drive and pinion for turning the fly wheel .and as this feature is old and well known, no detail 'illustration of the same appears in the drawing.

Fig. 5 illustrates that thel switch may be mounted on the starting motor so that the actuating arm 36 is in the path of travel of the depending arm 40. Therefore, when the rod 41 is turned by the lever 44 the arm 36 will be turned for depressing the member 6 and thereby establishing an electric con tact between the parts 10 and 14.

It might be stated that the lower block 7 is mounted on a stud 4bolt or contact screw 10 to which the starting cable is normally attached. Thus the studvvlO not only forms a contact, but also forms a support and at- Itaching meansfor the switch.

Fig. 5 illustrates that the starting cable c 'aseo is attached to the binding post 14 and the starting cable is connected to one side of the original starting switch 100. in other words, the starting cable is originally connected to opposite sides oil' the switch 100 is claimed is:

1. A switch for use in connection with starting motors comprising iixed and movable blocks, a U-shaped leaf spring connecting said iXedand movable blocks, contacts carried by the blocks and adapted for connection with the wires of an electric starting circuit, an actuating bar having a laterally ,projecting terminal portion engaged wit said movable block, an arm for engagin said actuating bar, said arm being provided with means whereby the same may be connected to the spark control rod of an automobile, and a guide member' having spaced sides arranged at opposite edges of the movable block to hold the same against lateral movement and cooperating with said movable block in supporting said actuating bar.

2. A switch for use in connection with starting motors comprising a pair of blocks, contacts having connection with the blocks and adapted for connection with the wires of an electric starting circuit, a guide member in the form of a rectangular loop extending about the end portions of said blocks and having a slot, an actuating bar extending through said slot and having a laterally directed terminal portion confined between. one of said blocks and the adjacent side of said loop, and a separate arm for Contactin with and moving said actuating bar, said arm being provided with means whereby the same may be connected to the spark control rod of an automobile.

3. A starter switch for automobiles comprising a pair of blocks of insulating mathe adjacent side of said guide member.

4. A starting switch for use on automobiles comprising a member of insulating mabe .connecte to a stud bolt of the starting motor on an automobile, a spring connected to said member, a second member connected to said spring and having a binding post adapted for engagement with said 'stud bolt and havin 'means for vconnection with a' starting ca le, an actuating arm associated with said second-named member, and a guide member having spaced sides arranged at opposite edges of said second-named member to hold the same against lateral movement and cooperating with said secondnamed member in supporting said actuating arm.

5.` A starting switch for use on automobiles comprising a member of insulating material having means whereby the same may be connected to a stud bolt of the starting motor on an automobile, a spring connected to said member, a second member connected starting cable, an actuating arm associated with said second-named member, a guide member having spaced sides arranged at op'- posite edgesof said second-named member to hold the same against lateral" movement and cooperating with said second-named member in supporting said actuating arm and a second arm adapted to operate said first-named arm and having means whereby the same may be connected to a spark control rod.`

In testimony whereof I aitix my signature.

GREEK P. BEASTON.

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